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Stress in childhood

Fear in children; Anxiety - stress; Childhood stress

Childhood stress can be present in any setting that requires the child to adapt or change. Stress may be caused by positive changes, such as starting a new activity, but it is most commonly linked with negative changes such as illness or death in the family.

Stress

Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stres...

You can help your child by learning to recognize the signs of stress and teaching your child healthy ways to deal with it.

Information

Stress may be a response to a negative change in a child's life. In small amounts, stress can be good. But, excessive stress can affect the way a child thinks, acts, and feels.

Children learn how to respond to stress as they grow and develop. Many stressful events that an adult can manage will cause stress in a child. As a result, even small changes can impact a child's feelings of safety and security.

Pain, injury, illness, and other changes are stressors for children. Stressors may include:

Worrying about schoolwork or grades

Juggling responsibilities, such as school and work or sports

Problems with friends, bullying, or peer group pressures

Changing schools, moving, or dealing with housing problems or homelessness

Having negative thoughts about themselves

Going through body changes, in both boys and girls

Seeing parents go through a divorce or separation

Money problems in the family

Living in an unsafe home or neighborhood

SIGNS OF UNRESOLVED STRESS IN CHILDREN

Children may not recognize that they are stressed. New or worsening symptoms may lead parents to suspect an increased stress level is present.

Physical symptoms can include:

Decreased appetite, other changes in eating habits

Headache

New or recurrent bedwetting

Nightmares

Sleep disturbances

Upset stomach or vague stomach pain

Other physical symptoms with no physical illness

Emotional or behavioral symptoms may include:

Anxiety, worry

Not able to relax

New or recurring fears (fear of the dark, fear of being alone, fear of strangers)

Clinging, unwilling to let you out of sight

Anger, crying, whining

Not able to control emotions

Aggressive or stubborn behavior

Going back to behaviors present when a younger age

Doesn't want to participate in family or school activities

HOW PARENTS CAN HELP

Parents can help children respond to stress in healthy ways. Following are some tips:

Provide a safe, secure, and dependable home.

Family routines can be comforting. Having a family dinner or movie night can help relieve or prevent stress.

Be a role model. The child looks to you as a model for healthy behavior. Do your best to keep your own stress under control and manage it in healthy ways.

Be careful about which television programs, books, and games that young children watch, read, and play. News broadcasts and violent shows or games can produce fears and anxiety.

Keep your child informed of anticipated changes such as in jobs or moving.

Spend calm, relaxed time with your children.

Learn to listen. Listen to your child without being critical or trying to solve the problem right away. Instead work with your child to help them understand and solve what is upsetting to them.

Build your child's feelings of self-worth. Use encouragement and affection. Use rewards, not punishment. Try to involve your child in activities where they can succeed.

Punishment

All children misbehave sometimes. As a parent, you have to decide how you will respond. Your child needs rules to understand how to behave. Discip...